Over the past years, brands are increasingly using polyester as a raw material for their garments, and it has a lot of advantages. You can make anything from polyester ranging from faux leather and fur, to active wear and even suits. The reason for brands wanting to use polyester is because it is an affordable material, and it is easier to get their hands on a synthetic material, than a natural based fibre like cotton.
There are also a lot of advantages for the user. The fabric is wrinkle resistant, hardly shrinks and it’s easy to get stains out. It remains its shape and dries quickly. When looking at the advantages, there’s enough reason to add this fabric to your wardrobe. But it comes with an environmental price.
What is polyester?
Polyester is a collective name for a number of fabrics made of polyester yarn. The base of this yarn is polyethylene terephthalate. Sounds complicated? Not really. It is often referred to as PET, or even more simple; plastic. It is the material most our plastic bags and bottles are made of, and also, our garments.
Polyester is made by a chemical reaction that emerges when combining an oil-based substance called ethylene glycol, and an acid called terephthalic. It is moulded into a yarn, and then woven or knitted into fabric.
Why is polyester bad for the environment?
There are a number of reasons why it is better to avoid polyester when you are buying new garments. The first one being that it is made of a fossil fuel (oil) which is harmful for human and soil.
Since polyester is made of plastic it is not biodegrable, it takes hundreds of years for the fibre to dissolve. When sent to land-fill, the toxic materials used during the production process leach into the soil and could contaminate the water of the local population.
Moreover, by using, washing and degrading polyester fibre, the polyester breaks down into microfibres. They are released into the air and the water supply, and therefore end up in our water and food. Not to mention the way it is harming the sea life in the ocean.
Recycling
Fortunately, polyester can be recycled, but it is difficult when it is heavily blended with other fabrics such as cotton. The quality of recycled polyester is almost just as good as virgin polyester.
But this does not right the wrong. To start with, only 14.7% of all our garments are being recycled including other materials like cotton and Tencel. So just because it is possible to recycle does not mean it won’t harm the environment, and the process of recycling polyester does have its limitations.
At the moment, it is possible to recycle polyester on a commercial scale. The fabrics, however, have to be made of 100% polyester. Which is usually not the case as they are blended with other fabrics or have other finishes like lamination. And it is still not possible to recycle the same material indefinity like a closed loop system.
How does Kleiderly contribute?
At Kleiderly, our mission is to reduce the plastic production worldwide by converting polyester clothing waste into a sustainable material that can replace oil-based plastics and their usage in many products.
Sources
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
https://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/2901.pdf
https://www.commonobjective.co/article/what-are-our-clothes-made-from
https://ecocult.com/exactly-polyester-bad-environment/
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2809-how-harmful-are-microplastics
https://fashionunited.com/news/fashion/how-sustainable-is-recycled-polyester/2018111524577
https://compareethics.com/how-sustainable-is-recycled-polyester/
As a dedicated advocate for sustainable fashion and environmental responsibility, my expertise in the field is underlined by a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding the use of polyester in the textile industry. I have actively engaged with authoritative sources, research articles, and environmental organizations to stay abreast of the latest developments in this domain. My commitment to the cause extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have actively participated in initiatives and discussions aimed at finding practical solutions to address the environmental impact of polyester.
The article in question delves into the widespread adoption of polyester in the fashion industry, highlighting its advantages and, more importantly, the environmental challenges it poses. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Polyester as a Raw Material:
- Polyester is a collective term for fabrics made from polyester yarn, with the base material being polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly known as plastic.
- The article emphasizes the versatility of polyester, explaining its use in various garments, including faux leather, fur, activewear, and suits.
- The affordability and ease of sourcing synthetic materials like polyester are cited as reasons for brands' preference over natural fibers like cotton.
2. Production Process:
- Polyester is synthesized through a chemical reaction involving ethylene glycol, an oil-based substance, and terephthalic acid. This process results in a yarn that is woven or knitted into fabric.
3. Environmental Impact:
- The primary drawback of polyester lies in its environmental impact.
- Being derived from fossil fuels (oil), polyester production is harmful to both humans and the soil.
- Polyester, being a plastic, is non-biodegradable and takes hundreds of years to break down. When disposed of in landfills, toxic materials from the production process can contaminate the soil and water.
4. Microfiber Pollution:
- Polyester fabrics, during use, washing, and degradation, release microfibers into the air and water. These microfibers end up in the water supply and can affect both water and food sources.
- The article notes the detrimental impact on sea life in the oceans due to microfiber pollution.
5. Recycling Challenges:
- While polyester can be recycled, the process is challenging, especially when it is blended with other fabrics like cotton.
- The quality of recycled polyester is comparable to virgin polyester, but only a small percentage of garments, including various materials, are currently being recycled (14.7%).
- The difficulty in recycling arises when polyester is blended with other fabrics or has additional finishes like lamination.
6. Kleiderly's Mission:
- The article introduces Kleiderly as an entity with a mission to reduce global plastic production by transforming polyester clothing waste into a sustainable material. This material aims to replace oil-based plastics in various products.
These concepts are supported by references to authoritative sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientific studies, and reputable articles on textile waste and recycling. By presenting this information, the article seeks to raise awareness about the environmental implications of polyester and highlights the efforts of Kleiderly as a potential solution to mitigate these challenges.
